Blade server assembly

ABSTRACT

A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade server chassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is also disclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the blade server.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is blade server assemblies and methods formaintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis.

2. Description of Related Art

The development of the EDVAC computer system of 1948 is often cited asthe beginning of the computer era. Since that time, users have relied oncomputer systems to simplify the process of information management.Today's computer systems are much more sophisticated than early systemssuch as the EDVAC. Such modern computer systems deliver powerfulcomputing resources to provide a wide range of information managementcapabilities through the use of computer software such as databasemanagement systems, word processors, spreadsheets, client/serverapplications, web services, and so on.

In order to deliver powerful computing resources, blade servermaintenance personnel may design a computer system that utilizes bladeservers installed in a blade server chassis. A blade server is aminimally-packaged computer motherboard that includes one or morecomputer processors, computer memory, storage, and network interfacemodules. Blade server maintenance personnel may install multiple bladeservers in a blade server chassis to provide a scalable computer systemin a relatively small physical space.

As any other computing device, a blade server requires periodicmaintenance. Blade server maintenance personnel or other blade servermaintenance personnel often performs routine maintenance on a bladeserver such as installing additional computer memory, swapping computerprocessors, inserting a daughter card into the motherboard, replacingthe blade server entirely, and so on. Performing such maintenance isrelatively simple when blade server maintenance personnel mayconveniently access the blade server. Current blade server chassis,however, provide no physical support for a blade server duringmaintenance of the blade server. Maintenance personnel must locate atable or workbench on which to perform the blade server maintenancesomewhere near or relatively far from the blade server chassis. Oftenlimited space available in a computer server room may force maintenancepersonnel to set a blade server on the floor for maintenance—or attemptto support the blade server in some other awkward position. The physicalarrangements for blade server maintenance in current art therefore areinconvenient and risk damage from awkward handling of blade servers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A blade server assembly is disclosed that includes a blade serverchassis, a blade server, and a support assembly connected with the bladeserver chassis and with the blade server so as to support the bladeserver substantially outside the blade server chassis. A method is alsodisclosed for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade serverchassis that includes supporting the blade server substantially outsidethe blade server chassis through a support assembly connected with theblade server chassis and with the blade server.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generallyrepresent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of an exemplary blade serverassembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a further exemplary blade serverassembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a plan bottom view of an exemplary support assemblyaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 sets forth a plan side view of a further exemplary blade serverassembly according to embodiments of the present invention installed ina server rack.

FIG. 5 sets forth a plan side view of a further exemplary supportassembly according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of a further exemplary blade serverassembly according to embodiments of the present invention installed ina server rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Detailed Description

Exemplary blade server assemblies and methods for maintaining a bladeserver installed in a blade server chassis according to embodiments ofthe present invention are described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, beginning with FIG. 1. FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view ofan exemplary blade server assembly according to embodiments of thepresent invention. The example of FIG. 1 includes a blade server chassis(100), a blade server (102), and a support assembly (104) connected withthe blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support theblade server substantially outside the blade server chassis.

The blade server chassis (100) is computer hardware that houses andprovides common power supply and air-cooling resources to one or moreblade servers (102). Blade server chassis (100) includes power supplybays (108) for multiple power supply modules with load balancing andfailover capabilities such as, for example, a hot-swappable power supplymodule with 1400-watt or greater direct current output. The redundantpower supply configuration ensures that the blade server chassis (100)will continue to provide electrical power to the blade servers (102) ifone power supply fails. Examples of blade server chassis (100) that maybe improved according to embodiments of the present invention includethe IBM eServer® BladeCenter™ Chassis, the Intel® Blade Server ChassisSBCE, the Dell™ PowerEdge 1855 Enclosure, and so on.

In the example of FIG. 1, the blade server chassis (100) also includes abackplane (124). The backplane (124) is a circuit board forming acomputer bus that allows the flow of data between the blade server (102)and input/output devices such as, for example, network switches,monitors, keyboards, and so on. The backplane (124) connects to theblade server (102) through a hot plug connection. A blade serverconnected to backplane is referred to in this specification as‘installed.’

In the example of FIG. 1, the blade server chassis includes a receivingspace (116). The receiving space (116) is a region in the blade serverchassis (100) in which users, system administrators or other bladeserver maintenance personnel, install blade servers (102). Receivingspace dividers (118) in the example of FIG. 1 separate the receivingspace into two or more blade server regions (120) for receiving bladeservers, each blade server region (120) receiving one blade server(102). The receiving space dividers (118) mount to a chassis bottom(122) inside the blade server chassis (100), the chassis bottom (122)defining a lower plane of the receiving space (116). The receiving spacedividers (118) are spaced apart in parallel to receive a blade server(102) between the receiving space dividers (118). The receiving spacedividers (118) extend from a front face (114) of the blade serverchassis to the back of the receiving space (116).

A blade server (102) is a minimally-packaged computer motherboard thatincludes one or more computer processors, computer memory, storage, andnetwork interface modules. The blade server (102) is a hot-swappablecomputer device that connects with backplane (124) through a hot plugconnection. The hot-swap capability allows blade server maintenancepersonnel to remove from the blade server chassis (100) without turningoff the electrical power provided by the power supply modules. The bladeserver (102) provides scalable computer resources in a computer networkenvironment. Examples of blade servers (102) that may be improvedaccording to embodiments of the present invention include the IBMeServer® BladeCenter™ HS20, the Intel® Server Compute Blade SBX82, theDell™ PowerEdge 1855 Blade, and so on.

Blade server (102) includes an access panel (106) that is removablyfastened to a vertical side (112) of blade server (102). Access panel(106) provides blade server maintenance personnel access to blade servercomponents (110), such as processors, memory, storage, network interfacemodules, and so on, installed in blade server (102). To access bladeserver components through the access panel (106), blade servermaintenance personnel slide the blade server (102) substantially outsidethe blade server chassis (100) and remove the access panel (106).Readers skilled in the art will recognize that the access panel (106) ofFIG. 1 is for example only, and not for limitation. Blade servers (102)according to embodiments of the present invention may also leave bladeserver components (110) exposed without enclosing blade servercomponents (110) behind access panel (106).

The support assembly (104) is a hardware device for maintaining a bladeserver (102) installed in a blade server chassis (100). The supportassembly (104) connects with the blade server chassis (100) and with theblade server (102) so as to support the blade server (102) substantiallyoutside the blade server chassis (100). Supporting the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (102) allows bladeserver maintenance personnel convenient access to the blade server (102)for performing routine maintenance such as, for example, swapping out ablade server's computer processor, installing more computer memory on ablade, replacing a blade server in the blade server chassis with a newblade server, and so on.

For further explanation, FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of afurther exemplary blade server assembly according to embodiments of thepresent invention. The example of FIG. 2 includes a blade server chassis(100), a blade server (102), and a support assembly (104) connected withthe blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to support theblade server substantially outside the blade server chassis.

In the example of FIG. 2, the support assembly (104) includes a lowerslide track (200). The lower slide track (200) has a slide track base(210) that is substantially greater in width than height. A lateralslide track rail (212) of the lower slide track (200) fastens to eachside of the slide track base (210) to form a recess between the lateralslide track rails for receiving an upper slide track (204). The distancebetween the lateral slide track rails (212) on each side of the slidetrack base (210) conforms to the width of the blade server (102). Theslide track base (210) and the lateral slide track rails (212) extendinto the receiving space (116) for a length sufficient to accommodatethe length of the blade server (102).

The lower slide track (200) in the example of FIG. 2 connects to theblade server chassis (100) along the chassis bottom (122) that forms alower plane of the receiving space (116). In the example of FIG. 2,support rails (216) guide the lower slide track (200) as the lower slidetrack (200) slides along the chassis bottom (122) and provides verticalsupport for the lower slide track (200) when extended from the receivingspace (116). The support rails (216) mount on receiving space dividers(118) parallel to and above the lateral slide track rails (212). Thesupport rails (216) may extend in length along the receiving spacedividers (118) for a length similar to the length of lateral slide trackrails (212). Although the example of FIG. 2 depicts a lower slide track(200) that slideably connects to the blade server chassis (100), such aconnection is for example only, not for limitation. The lower slidetrack (200) may also connect to the blade server chassis (100) using afixed connection that allows the lower slide track (200) to slightlyprotrude from the receiving space (116).

The lower slide track (200) in the example of FIG. 2 also includes apair of first receiving holes (202) and a pair of second receiving holes(203). The pair of first receiving holes (202) and the pair of secondreceiving holes (203) extend through the pair of lateral slide trackrails (212), each lateral slide track rail (212) containing a firstreceiving hole (202) and a second receiving hole (203). The pair ofsecond receiving holes (203) is located directly behind front surfaces(214) of the lateral slide track rails (212), while the pair of firstreceiving holes (202) is located above slide track base (210) behind thepair of second receiving holes (203).

The lower slide track (200) in the example of FIG. 2 also includes aslot (208) through the slide track base (210) between the pair of secondreceiving holes (203). The slot (208) extends in width the distancebetween the pair of second receiving holes (203). The slot (208) extendsin length from between the pair of first receiving holes (202) and thepair of second receiving holes (203) to the front surfaces (214) of thelateral slide track rails (212).

In the example of FIG. 2, the support assembly (104) includes an upperslide track (204) that slides along lower slide track (200) to installthe blade server (102) into the blade server chassis (100). In theexample of FIG. 2, the upper slide track (204) connects to the bladeserver (102) along the bottom surface (218) of the blade server (102).The width and length of the upper slide track (204) conforms to thewidth and length of the bottom surface (218) of the blade server (102).The height of the upper slide track (204) in the example of FIG. 2 isthe distance from the slide track base (210) to the top edge (220) ofthe lateral slide track rails (212).

In the example of FIG. 2, the support assembly (104) also includes twohinge pins (206) along the back of the upper slide track (204). Thehinge pins (206) are inset along a common axis on opposite sides of theupper slide track (204). The hinge pins compress along the common axisso as to engage the pair of first receiving holes (202) and support theblade server (102) on the slide track base (210) as a cantileversubstantially outside the blade server chassis (100). The hinge pinsalso compress along the common axis so as to engage the pair of secondreceiving holes (203) and pivot the blade server (102) substantiallyoutside the blade server chassis (100).

For further explanation of the hinge pins (206), FIG. 3 sets forth aplan bottom view of an exemplary support assembly (104) that connectswith the blade server chassis and with the blade server so as to supportthe blade server substantially outside the blade server chassisaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The support assembly(104) in the example of FIG. 3 includes an upper slide track (204),hinge pins (206), and lower slide track (200) that are similar instructure to the upper slide track (204), hinge pins (206), and lowerslide track (200) described with reference to FIG. 2.

In the example of FIG. 3, the support assembly (104) includes two hingepins (206) along the back of the upper slide track (204). The hinge pins(206) are inset along a common axis (300) on opposite sides (302 and304) of the upper slide track (204). The hinge pins are compressiblealong the common axis (300) so as to engage the pair of first receivingholes (202) and support the blade server (102) on the slide track base(210) as a cantilever substantially outside the blade server chassis(100). The hinge pins also are compressible along the common axis (300)so as to engage the pair of second receiving holes (203) and pivot theblade server substantially outside the blade server chassis (100)

In the example of FIG. 3, the support assembly (104) also includes ahinge pin casing (306). The hinge pin casing (306) supports the twohinge pins (206) inset along a common axis (300) on opposite sides (302and 304) of the upper slide track (204). The hinge pins (206) slideablyconnect to a surface (310) formed by the hinge pin casing (306). Thecasing (306) and hinge pins (206) are adapted to allow the hinge pins(206) to extend from the casing (306) while preventing the hinge pinsfrom sliding all the way out of the casing (306).

In the example of FIG. 3, the support assembly (104) also includes aspring (308). The spring (308) presses on the surfaces (312) of hingepins (206) inside the hinge pin casing (306). The spring (308) causesthe hinge pins (206) to extend out of the upper slide track (204) as afar as the slideable connection between the hinge pin (206) and thehinge pin casing (306) permit. The hinge pins are compressible along thecommon axis (300) such that applying pressure to the outside of thehinge pin (206) along the common axis (300) causes the spring (308) tocompress and displaces the hinge pins (206) along the common axis (300)inside the hinge pin casing (306). Releasing pressure on the outside ofthe hinge pin (206) along the common axis (300) causes the spring (308)to decompress and returns the hinge pins (206) to a fully extendedposition protruding from the upper slide track (204).

For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets forth a plan side view of a furtherexemplary blade server assembly according to embodiments of the presentinvention installed in a server rack (400). The example of FIG. 4includes a blade server chassis (100), a blade server (102), and asupport assembly (104), which is connected with the blade server chassisand with the blade server so as to support the blade serversubstantially outside the blade server chassis, that are similar instructure to the blade server chassis (100), the blade server (102), andthe support assembly (104) described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The example of FIG. 4 also includes a server rack (400). The server rack(400) is a hardware system for mounting various computer hardwaremodules in a ‘stack’ or a ‘rack.’ Computer hardware modules may include,for example, rack servers, rack switches, or blade server chassis. Theserver rack (400) in the example of FIG. 4 provides blade servermaintenance personnel a single location for operating and maintaining alarge number of blade servers (102).

Blade server maintenance personnel use the blade server assembliesdepicted in the example of FIG. 4 to maintain blade servers (102)installed in each blade server chassis (100). Blade server maintenancepersonnel maintain the blade server (102) by supporting the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) through asupport assembly (104) connected with the blade server chassis (100) andwith the blade server (102). Blade server maintenance personnel maysupport the blade server (102) substantially outside the blade serverchassis (100) by sliding the blade server (102) out of the blade serverchassis (100) until the hinge pins engage the pair of first receivingholes (202).

When the hinge pins engage the pair of first receiving holes (202),supporting the blade server (102) may continue as the support assembly(104) supports the blade server (102) on the slide track base as acantilever substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) asdepicted by the blade server (102) in the bottom of the server rack(400) in the example of FIG. 4. While the support assembly (104)supports the blade server (102) as a cantilever, blade servermaintenance personnel may perform maintenance on the blade server withno need to awkwardly balance the blade server on a knee, place the bladeserver on the floor, or inconveniently place the blade server on a tableacross the room or even in some other room. After removing access panel(106) to expose blade server components (110), blade server maintenancepersonnel may, for example, swap out a blade server's computerprocessor, install more computer memory on a blade, replace daughtercards connected to the motherboard, and so on.

Blade server maintenance personnel may also support the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) by slidingthe blade server (102) out of the blade server chassis (100) until thehinge pins engage the pair of second receiving holes (203). When thehinge pins engage the pair of second receiving holes (202), supportingthe blade server (102) may continue as blade server maintenancepersonnel pivot the blade server (102) substantially outside the bladeserver chassis (100) as depicted by the blade server (102) in the top ofthe server rack (400) in the example of FIG. 4. Pivoting the bladeserver (102) allows blade server maintenance personnel to more easilymaintain blade servers installed in a chassis located at the top of rack(400). After pivoting the blade server (102), blade server maintenancepersonnel may perform maintenance on the blade server with no need toawkwardly balance the blade server on a knee, place the blade server onthe floor, or inconveniently place the blade server on a table acrossthe room or even in some other room.

When blade server maintenance personnel install a replacement bladeserver (402) in the chassis (100) using the support assembly depicted inthe example of FIG. 4, blade server maintenance personnel may supportthe blade server (102) by sliding the blade server (102) out of theblade server chassis (100) until the hinge pins engage the pair ofsecond receiving holes (203). When the hinge pins engage the pair ofsecond receiving holes (202), supporting the blade server (102)continues as blade server maintenance personnel pivot the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) as depictedby the blade server (102) in the top of the server rack (400) in theexample of FIG. 4. While pivoted substantially outside the blade serverchassis (100), blade server maintenance personnel may insert thereplacement (402) blade server in the blade server chassis (100) with noneed to awkwardly balance the blade servers (102 and 402) on a knee,place the blade server (102 and 402) on the floor, or inconvenientlyplace the blade server (102 and 402) on a table across the room or evenin some other room.

For further explanation, FIG. 5 sets forth a plan side view of a furtherexemplary support assembly (104) according to embodiments of the presentinvention. The support assembly (104), which is connected with the bladeserver chassis and with the blade server so as to support the bladeserver substantially outside the blade server chassis according to theexample of FIG. 5, includes a detent (500), a movable hook (502), and arelease (504).

In the example of FIG. 5, the detent (500) mounts inside the bladeserver chassis (100) above a top surface (506) of the blade server(102). The detent (500) in the example of FIG. 5 is a horizontal railthat spans the width of the receiving space (116). Each end of thedetent (500) fastens to the blade server chassis (100) at a height abovethe top surface (506) of blade server (102) such that the moveable hook(502) engages the detent (500) when blade server maintenance personnelextend the blade server (102) from the blade server chassis (100). Theexample of FIG. 5 depicts the detent (500) as a horizontal rail forexplanation, and not for limitation. The detent (500) in the example ofFIG. 5 may include a plate, a notch, a block, or any other structureadapted to engage the moveable hook (502) as will occur to those ofskill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 5, the movable hook (502) connects to the bladeserver (102) so as to engage the detent (500) and support the bladeserver on the detent (500) as a cantilever substantially outside theblade server chassis. The movable hook (502) slideably fastens to theback surface (508) of the blade server (102) using fasteners (510) andslides vertically along the inside of back surface (508) to raise andlower the moveable hook (502). In a raised position, the moveable hook(502) extends above the top surface (506) to engage the detent (500)when blade server maintenance personnel extend the blade server (102)from the blade server chassis (100). In a lowered position (516), themoveable hook (502) does not engage the detent (500) when blade servermaintenance personnel extend the blade server (102) from the bladeserver chassis (100). The lowered position (516) allows blade servermaintenance personnel to remove the blade server (102) from the bladeserver chassis (100).

In the example of FIG. 5, the release (504) mounts on the blade server(102) so as to disengage the moveable hook (502) from the detent (500).The release (504) in the example of FIG. 5 is a button in the topsurface (506) of the blade server (102). The release (504) fastens to aflat spring (512). One end of the flat spring (512) mounts to the topsurface (506) of the blade server (102) by fastener (514), while theother end of the flat spring (512) mounts on the moveable hook (502).Applying downward pressure on the release (504) lowers flat spring (512)and moveable hook (502). Releasing downward pressure on the release(504) returns flat spring (512) and moveable hook (502) to a raisedposition.

Blade server maintenance personnel use the support assembly (104)depicted in the example of FIG. 5 to maintain the blade server (102)installed in the blade server chassis (100). Blade server maintenancepersonnel maintain the blade server (102) by supporting the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) through asupport assembly (104) connected with the blade server chassis (100) andwith the blade server (102). Blade server maintenance personnel maysupport the blade server (102) substantially outside the blade serverchassis (100) by sliding the blade server (102) out of the blade serverchassis (100) until the movable hook (502) engages the detent (500).

When the moveable hook (502) engages the detent (500), supporting theblade server (102) continues by the support assembly (104) supportingthe blade server (102) on the detent (500) as a cantilever substantiallyoutside the blade server chassis (100) as depicted by the blade server(102) in the example of FIG. 5. While the support assembly (104)supports the blade server (102) as a cantilever, blade servermaintenance personnel may perform maintenance on the blade server withno need to awkwardly balance the blade server on a knee, place the bladeserver on the floor, or inconveniently place the blade server on a tableacross the room or even in some other room. After removing access panel(106) to expose blade server components (110), blade server maintenancepersonnel may, for example, swap out a blade server's computerprocessor, install more computer memory on a blade, replace daughtercards connected to the motherboard, and so on.

When blade server maintenance personnel install a new blade server inthe chassis (100) using the support assembly (104) depicted in theexample of FIG. 5, blade server maintenance personnel may disengage themoveable hook (502) from the detent (500). Blade server maintenancepersonnel may disengage the moveable hook (502) from the detent (500) byapplying downward pressure on the release (504) and removing the bladeserver (102) from the blade server chassis (100). When the blade server(102) is removed from the blade server chassis (100), blade servermaintenance personnel may insert a new blade server into the bladeserver chassis (100).

For further explanation, FIG. 6 sets forth a perspective view of afurther exemplary blade server assembly according to embodiments of thepresent invention installed in a server rack (400). The example of FIG.6 includes a blade server chassis (100), a blade server (102), and asupport assembly (104) connected with the blade server chassis (100) andwith the blade server (102) so as to support the blade server (102)substantially outside the blade server chassis (100). The supportassembly (104) includes a horizontal rail (600) and a hook (602).

In the example of FIG. 6, the horizontal rail (600) mounts on the bladeserver chassis (100) by brackets (604). Brackets (604) in the example ofFIG. 6 mount on the front face (114) of the blade server chassis (100)below the receiving space (116). The brackets (604) are spaced apart bya width that conforms to the width of the receiving space (116). Thehorizontal rail (600) spans across the front face (114) of the bladeserver chassis (100), and each end of the horizontal rail (600) fastensto a bracket (604). In the example of FIG. 6, the horizontal rail (600)and brackets (604) support the weight all the blade servers (102) thatblade server maintenance personnel may install in the blade serverchassis (100).

In the example of FIG. 6, the hook (602) mounts to the blade server(102) so as to hang the blade server on the horizontal railsubstantially outside the blade server chassis. The hook (602) issimilar in structure to the moveable hook (502) in the example of FIG.5. As discussed above, the example of FIG. 5 depicts the moveable hook(502) as slideably fastened to the back surface of the blade server(102). In the example of FIG. 6, a slideable connection between the hook(602) and the blade server (102) is for explanation and not forlimitation. The hook (602) may also fasten to blade server (102) in afixed position.

Blade server maintenance personnel use the blade server assembly asdepicted in the example of FIG. 6 to maintain the blade server (102)installed in the blade server chassis (100). Blade server maintenancepersonnel maintain the blade server (102) by supporting the blade server(102) substantially outside the blade server chassis (100) through asupport assembly (104) connected with the blade server chassis (100) andwith the blade server (102). Blade server maintenance personnel supportthe blade server (102) substantially outside the blade server chassis(100) by sliding the blade server (102) out of the blade server chassis(100) and hanging the hook (602) on the horizontal rail (600)substantially outside the blade server chassis (100). While hanging theblade server (102) on the hook (602), blade server maintenance personnelmay perform maintenance on the blade server with no need to awkwardlybalance the blade server on a knee, place the blade server on the floor,or inconveniently place the blade server on a table across the room oreven in some other room. After supporting the blade server (102)substantially outside the blade server chassis (100), blade servermaintenance personnel may remove access panel (106) to expose bladeserver components (110) and perform routine maintenance on the bladeserver (102) such as, for example, swapping out a blade server'scomputer processor, installing more computer memory on a blade,replacing daughter cards connected to the motherboard, replacing theblade server (102) with a replacement blade server, and so on.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modificationsand changes may be made in various embodiments of the present inventionwithout departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in thisspecification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to beconstrued in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention islimited only by the language of the following claims.

1. A method for maintaining a blade server installed in a blade serverchassis, the method comprising supporting the blade server substantiallyoutside the blade server chassis through a support assembly connectedwith the blade server chassis and with the blade server wherein thesupport assembly further comprises: a lower slide track connected to theblade server chassis, the lower slide track having a pair of firstreceiving holes and a slide track base; an upper slide track connectedto the blade server; and two hinge pins, the hinge pins inset along acommon axis on opposite sides of the upper slide track, the hinge pinscompressible along the common axis; and supporting the blade serverfurther comprises: sliding the blade server out of the blade serverchassis until the hinge pins engage the pair of first receiving holes;and supporting the blade server on the slide track base as a cantileversubstantially outside the blade server chassis.
 2. A method formaintaining a blade server installed in a blade server chassis, themethod comprising supporting the blade server substantially outside theblade server chassis through a support assembly connected with the bladeserver chassis and with the blade server wherein the support assemblyfurther comprises: a lower slide track connected to the blade serverchassis, the lower slide track having a pair of second receiving holes,a slide track base, and a slot through the slide track base between thepair of second receiving holes; an upper slide track connected to theblade server; and two hinge pins, the hinge pins inset along a commonaxis on opposite sides of the upper slide track, the hinge pinscompressible along the common axis; and supporting the blade serverfurther comprises: sliding the blade server out of the blade serverchassis until the hinge pins engage the pair of second receiving holes;and pivoting the blade server substantially outside the blade serverchassis.
 3. A method for maintaining a blade server installed in a bladeserver chassis, the method comprising supporting the blade serversubstantially outside the blade server chassis through a supportassembly connected with the blade server chassis and with the bladeserver wherein the support assembly further comprises: a detent mountedinside the blade server chassis above a top surface of the blade server;a movable hook connected to the blade server; and a release mounted onthe blade server; and supporting the blade server further comprises:sliding the blade server out of the blade server chassis until themovable hook engages the detent; supporting the blade server on the dentas a cantilever substantially outside the blade server chassis; anddisengaging the moveable hook from the detent.